Sports Training Device

ABSTRACT

A sports training device which allows for easy interchanging of weighted inserts. The sports training device includes a body, a handle, a contact zone, a inner chamber, a capping mechanism, and a weighted insert. The weighted insert attaches to the capping mechanism which can be attached the body of the device. The weighted insert is enclosed by the body within the inner chamber. The contact zone of the device can be equipment such as a baseball bat, softball bat, tennis racket, hockey stick, cricket stick, or any equipment used to strike a ball.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the filing priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/600,846 titled “PopToss Weighted Baseball Bat” filed on Mar. 6, 2017, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/600,895 titled “PopToss Spring Loaded Weighted Housing—to create weighted baseball bats” filed on Mar. 7, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62,601,188 titled “PopToss 2 in 1 Bat With Threaded Hole” filed on Mar. 15, 2017. The '846, '895, and '188 applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sports training device. Particularly, the application relates to a device with a body, a contact zone, and a handle that allows for insertable weights to be easily interchanged. Unique components of as well as methods and devices for creating such a sports training device are also described.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Athletes often use different weighted devices for different purposes. Due to this, athletes often carry multiple weighted devices, such as baseball bats, softball bats, and tennis rackets, while they are training or competing. This can become burdensome on an active or casual athlete having to carry large and often heavy equipment. Additionally, athletes then spend more money on multiple weighted devices to have all the desired weights.

Furthermore, athletes often do strength conditioning to be able to stay in peek physical shape and prevent injury throughout a long season. However, intensive strength conditioning can result in an athlete increasing muscle mass which can result in a loss of flexibility. Often a loss of flexibility can result in a decrease in an athlete's performance. This is especially true in sports that require quick hand eye coordination, such as baseball, softball, tennis, hockey, and cricket. Athletes in these and other sports that require quick hand eye coordination are often looking for a balance in strength and flexibility.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved training device and for an improved method of creating such a training device.

Furthermore, there is a need in the art for an improved strength and flexibility device that allows an athlete to maintain a balance between strength and flexibility and for an improved method of creating such a device.

These and other problems are addressed by the present device to provide a unique structure with numerous advantages in operation and effectiveness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is disclosed herein a sports training device which avoids the disadvantages of prior devices and components while affording additional and structural operating advantages.

Generally speaking, the devise is comprised of a body, a handle, a contact zone, an inner chamber, a capping mechanism, and a weighted insert.

In a preferred embodiment, the body has a handle proximate a contact zone. An inner chamber runs through the body and an opening is located at the handle end. A weighted insert is placed within the inner chamber which is enclosed by the body. A plurality of inserts of various weights and lengths are capable of fitting within the inner chamber. The weighted insert is firmly secured within the inner chamber by a capping mechanism.

Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment for the device, the opening has a female threaded portion and the capping mechanism has a male threaded rim along the outer rim. Additionally, the capping mechanism has a central female threaded portion. Each of the plurality of inserts have a male threaded end which is attachable to the central female threaded portion on the capping mechanism. The capping mechanism is attachable to the female threaded portion of the opening with the attached weighted insert. A female threaded portion on the capping mechanism opposite the weighted insert allows for a optional attachable weight to be attached at the bottom of the handle. A plurality of optional weights of various weights and sizes are attachable to the bottom of the handle.

In an alternate embodiment the inner chamber further comprising of a biasing mechanism opposite the opening. The biasing mechanism biases the weighted insert. The biasing mechanism comprises a spring, a foam insert, or any mechanism that sufficiently biases the weighted insert.

In an alternate embodiment the capping mechanism has a first and a second extending member which fastens to a collar located in the opening. Furthermore, the capping mechanism can comprise of a hook and a pin to fasten to the opening. The capping mechanism may comprise of a friction pad that securely fastens to the opening or any other mechanism that sufficiently secures the inserted weight within the inner chamber.

In an alternate embodiment the contact zone comprises a softball bat, a tennis racket, a hockey stick, a cricket bat, or any other sports equipment used for contacting a ball.

These and other aspects of the invention may be understood more readily from the following description and the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating and understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a capping mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a weighted insert;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a weighted insert attached to a capping mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the opening of the handle;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment the capping mechanism attached to the opening of the handle;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a optional weight attachment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a capping mechanism and a inner chamber;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the capping mechanism;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a capping mechanism and the opening of the handle;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a capping mechanism and the opening of the handle; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the device such as a racket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail at least one preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to any of the specific embodiments illustrated.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of the sports training device 10 and its components. The sports training device 10 is comprised of a body 12, a handle 14, a contact zone 16, an inner chamber 18, a capping mechanism 20, and at least one weighted insert 30. Preferably, most of these components are made of strong materials to withstand the force of contact from a ball.

The device 10 begins with the body 12 having the handle 14 proximate one end and the contacting zone 16 proximate an opposing end. Preferably, the handle 14 has an opening 22 which provides access to the inner chamber 18. Alternatively, the opening 22 may be positioned on the opposing end, proximate the contact zone 16, for accessing the inner chamber 18. The inner chamber 18 is enclosed by the body 12 and connects to the opening 22 to allow insertion of a weighted insert 30. The capping mechanism 20 is attachable to the opening 22 to secure the insert 30 within the inner chamber 18.

In a preferred embodiment, device 10 is a baseball/softball bat and the capping mechanism 20 is a bat knob 50 which has a complementary threaded portion 24 to the opening 22. This allows the capping mechanism 20 to be quickly attached to the opening 22. Alternate attachment mechanisms and techniques, such as a quick connect, friction fit, and the like, may be used in embodiments of the inventive training device 10.

Additionally, the capping mechanism 20 also has a central female threaded portion 26 to which the weighted insert 30 attaches. Each of the weighted inserts 30 has a male threaded end 32 which attaches to the central female threaded portion 26 of the capping mechanism 20. The capping mechanism 20 can then be attached to the opening 22 with the weighted insert 30 enclosed by the inner chamber 18. An optional weight attachment 40 is threaded and attaches to the bat knob 50 at a female-threaded portion 28, opposite the side of the attached weighted insert 30.

Preferably, the device 10 is a baseball/softball bat and the contacting zone 16 is proximate the head or fat end of the baseball bat. The weighted insert 30 can be easily interchanged during training or even during a competitive game. An athlete begins by determining the desired size (e.g., weight and/or length) of the weighted insert 30, for example, a six inch, 10 oz. weighted rod. The athlete will unscrew the capping mechanism 20 from the opening 22 so the capping mechanism 20 is completely detached from the opening 22 as seen in FIG. 1. The athlete will then select the proper 10 oz. weight insert 30. As can be appreciated, the different weight inserts 30 can be readily marked, coded, or labeled by length and weight using color, numeric markings, or in any other easily identifiable manner. The athlete then attaches the 10 oz. weighted insert 30 by the male threaded end 32, as seen in FIG. 2, by twisting the 10 oz weighted insert 30 into the central female thread portion 26 of the capping mechanism 20. The attached 10 oz. weighted insert 30 to the capping mechanism 20 is depicted in FIG. 3. The athlete then takes the 10 oz. weighted insert 30 and the capping mechanism 20 and screws it to the opening's 20 complementary threaded portion 24 at the bottom of the baseball bat as seen in FIG. 4. Once attached, the capping mechanism 20 and the opening 22 form the bat knob 50 as seen in FIG. 5 and the 10 oz. weighted insert 30 is firmly secured within the inner chamber 18 and will not slide, or move, within the chamber 18.

The weighted insert 30 being stable within the inner chamber 18 is ideal for the athlete because the athlete needs to train with consistency so there is no difference from swings in training and swings in a competitive game. It is especially important for the weighted insert 30 to remain stable within the inner chamber 18 while contact is made with the ball.

Once the athlete is satisfied with using the device 10 with the 10 oz. weighted insert 30 the athlete selects the next desired weight which is easily identifiable. The athlete removes the bat knob 50 by unscrewing the capping mechanism 20 from the opening 22. The athlete then unscrews the 10 oz. weighted insert 30 from the capping mechanism's 20 central female threaded portion 26. The athlete then selects the next desired weighted insert 30 such as a 12 oz. seventeen inch rod. Following the same steps provided above, the athlete screws the 12 oz. weighted insert 30 by the male threaded end 32 into the capping mechanism's 20 central female threaded portion 26. The 12 oz weighted insert 30 and capping mechanism 20 are screwed into the opening's 22 complementary threaded portion 24. Once connected the capping mechanism 20 and the opening 22 form a bat knob 50. Now the athlete can continue their training or competing with the additional weight. If the athlete wishes to change weights once again they can complete the process as described above to easily change weights as desired.

Depending on the sport, the plurality of weighted inserts 30 for the device 10 may fluctuate in weight and length, as would be understood by one of skill in the art. The easily interchangeable weighted inserts 30 reduce the need for the athlete in any sport to have to carry, and own, a burdensome amount of equipment.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, there is an alternate embodiment of the capping mechanism 20 and the inner chamber 18. The inner chamber 18 has a biasing mechanism 60 located opposite the opening 22. The weighted insert 30 is biased by the biasing mechanism 60 when placed in the inner chamber 18. Once again, the weighted insert 30 is sufficiently secured by the biasing mechanism 60 so it does not move in the inner chamber 18 while the athlete is training or competing. The weighted insert 30 is especially secure when the athlete makes contact with a ball on the contacting zone 16. This allows for the athlete to have a consistent swing throughout training and competing. Additionally, the capping mechanism 20 has a first extending member 66 and a second extending member 68 which fasten to the opening 22 by a collar 70. When the capping mechanism 20 is attached the weighted insert 30 is firmly secured within the inner chamber 18. The biasing mechanism 60 can be a spring, a foam insert, or any mechanism known to one skilled in the art that would sufficiently stabilize the weighted insert 30 within the inner chamber 18. In the alternate embodiment, the capping mechanism 20 is easily removed from the opening's 22 collar 70 which allows for easy interchanging of the weighted insert 30. The athlete selects the desired weighted insert 30 unlocks the capping mechanism 20 by twisting it along the opening's 22 collar 70. The athlete then places the weighted insert 30 into the inner chamber 18 sufficiently compressing the weighted insert 30 against the biasing mechanism 60 such as a spring. Once the weighted insert 30 is sufficiently placed in the inner chamber 18 the athlete twists the capping mechanism 20 along the opening's 22 collar 70 until it is in the locked position. The weighted insert 30 is now stable, and secure, within the inner chamber 18 for use in training and competing. Following the process above, the athlete can easily interchange the weighted insert 30 for the desired weight known to one of skill in the art in the sport the device 10 is used for.

Additionally, another alternate embodiment of the capping mechanism 20 is described in FIG. 8. The weighted insert 30 has an extending aperture 80 which aligns with a receiving aperture 82 on the capping mechanism 20 when they are connected. A fastener 84 is inserted through the receiving aperture 82 and the extending aperture 80 sufficiently securing the capping mechanism 20 and weighted insert 30. The fastener 84 can be a hook, a pin, or any mechanism that would sufficiently secure the capping mechanism 20 to the weighted insert 30. As previously described, the weighted insert 30 is secured within the inner chamber 18 so to keep the weight evenly distributed throughout for consistent swings for the athlete. The weighted insert 30 is secured within the inner chamber 18 to withstand the contact from a ball on the contacting zone 16.

Furthermore, the weighted insert 30 can be various materials. As seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7 the preferred weighted insert 30 is a metal rod. The metal rods are various weights and can be various lengths, and widths, but all are made of a strong metal material able to withstand the force of contact from a ball. Once secured within the inner chamber 18 the weighted insert 30 does not move, or slide, in the inner chamber 18. This can be accomplished by the weighted insert 30 being of equal length, and diameter of the inner chamber 18 or by any method known to one of skill in the art. Additionally, the weighted insert 30 can be comprised of water, sand, metal beads, or any other weighted material inserted into a capsule (not shown) for positioning within the inner chamber 18, as would be understood by one of skill in the art.

As also shown in FIG. 7, in an alternate embodiment of the device 10 is a tennis racket. The device 10 has the handle 14 proximate one end and the contacting zone 16 proximate an opposing end. Preferably, the handle 14 has an opening 22 which connects to the inner chamber 18. The inner chamber 18 is enclosed by the body 12 and connects to the opening 22 to allow insertion of a weighted insert 30. The capping mechanism 20 is attachable to the opening 22 to secure the weighted insert 30 within the inner chamber 18. As described above, the weighted insert 30 is easily changed in the same process for the racket as the baseball bat. This allows for the tennis player to easily interchange weights rather than having to buy multiple rackets to have all the desired weights.

Use of the device 10 accomplishes the athlete's desired strength and flexibility needs. By swinging the device 10 with the weighted insert 30, the athlete's muscles used to swing the device are focused on. As described above, the weighted insert 30 is securely fastened within the inner chamber 18 resulting in consistent and continuous resistance to the athlete's muscles used to swing. This consistent and continuous resistance strengthens the athlete's desired muscles and increases the athlete's cardiovascular repetition to be able to swing at a greater rate without getting exhausted. This allows for the athlete to sustain a high level of effort throughout a competition without feeling the negative effects of exhaustion or fatigue.

Furthermore, the athlete can easily change the desired weight of the weighted insert 30 easily increasing the resistance as the athlete's strength increases from use of the device 10. Additionally, the athlete can attach the optional weight attachments. The optional weight attachments can be weights such as 4 oz. or 10 oz, or what is best known to one of skill in the art that would achieve the desired results for the athlete. The athlete's flexibility increases as the specific swinging muscles are focused on because the muscles not used in a swing do not gain mass restricting the athlete's flexibility.

The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sports training device for contacting a ball or other related equipment, the device comprising: a body having a handle proximate a first end, a contact zone configured for contacting a ball or other sports equipment proximate an opposing second end, and an opening at one of either the first or second end; an inner chamber positioned within the body and connected to the opening; a capping mechanism attachable to the opening of the body; and at least one weighted insert configured to fit within the inner chamber and be secured within the chamber by a capping mechanism.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the weighted insert comprises a plurality of inserts having various lengths.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the weighted insert comprises a plurality of inserts having various weights.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the opening is threaded and the capping mechanism has a male threaded rim portion.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the capping mechanism has a central female threaded portion at both ends.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the weighted insert has a male threaded portion which attaches to the capping mechanism at one of the central female threaded portions.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the capping mechanism attaches to the opening by the male threaded rim portion.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein a optional weight attachment is threaded and attaches to the capping mechanism at the central female threaded portion opposite the side of the attached weighted insert.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the optional weight attachment comprises a plurality of attachments having various weights.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the optional weight attachment comprises a plurality of attachments having various sizes.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner chamber further comprises a biasing mechanism opposite the opening to bias the weighted insert.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the biasing mechanism further comprises of a spring.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the biasing mechanism further comprises of a foam.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the capping mechanism attaches to the opening by a friction pad.
 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the contact zone is a baseball bat head.
 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the contact zone is a racket head.
 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the weighted insert further comprises a extending aperture.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the capping mechanism further comprises a receiving aperture.
 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the capping mechanism is secured to the weighted insert by a fastener. 